PMR446, DMR or PoC: which radio suits you?
Three technologies, three different answers to the same question: how will my team talk? The right choice depends on distance, team size and whether you prefer a monthly fee or a licence.
- Authorised Motorola Solutions dealer
- Kirisun PoC distributor for Greece & Cyprus
- Programming and setup
- Support from Thessaloniki since 2001
What to look for
PMR446: simple, no running costs
Buy the radios and talk. No licence, no SIM, no monthly fee. Ideal within a building, an estate or an event. The channels are shared, though.
DMR: your own channels
Professional radios with more power, clear digital audio and private frequencies from EETT. With a repeater they cover a whole area. They need a licence and programming, but no monthly fee per radio.
PoC: range as wide as the mobile network
A PoC radio talks over 4G with a SIM card. Thessaloniki to Athens is one call, with no repeaters. But you pay for a SIM and a platform subscription every month and depend on coverage.
They can be combined
Many companies run DMR on site or in the plant and PoC for drivers and managers on the move. Ask us for the right mix.
Recommended radios
Motorola Talkabout T62 (twin pack)
PMR446 for families and small teams, with privacy codes. PMR446121 codesUp to 8 km* Price on request In stock
Motorola XT420
PMR446 for daily professional use, IP55. IP5516 channelsLi-ion Price on request In stock
Motorola MOTOTRBO R5
IP67 DMR for heavy use on licensed channels. VHF / UHFIP6764 channelsUp to 32 h Price on request Made to order
Kirisun T350 PoC radio
4G PoC with a SIM, for teams anywhere in Greece. 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHzIP54999 groupsLi-ion 3000 mAh Price on request In stockSetup tips
- Measure the longest distance you must cover. Under 1–2 km in town, PMR446 is usually enough. Beyond that, or across several towns, look at DMR with a repeater or PoC.
- Work out the cost over three years: PoC costs less up front but has a monthly fee; DMR means a licence and perhaps a repeater, but no per-radio subscription.
- If communication is safety-critical, do not depend on one technology alone. Ask us about a backup.
Good to know before you buy
- Anyone on the same PMR446 channel can hear you. It is not for confidential information.
- PoC radios do not work where there is no mobile data coverage, e.g. in basements or remote areas.
- DMR radios without a repeater have a range that depends on the terrain, like any direct radio link.
Questions people ask
Can a PMR446 radio talk to a DMR radio?
Not on licensed DMR channels. They are different bands with different rules. Some radios are multi-mode, but a professional-power radio may not transmit on PMR446.
Can a PoC radio talk to a mobile phone?
That depends on the PoC platform. Many platforms offer a smartphone app and a dispatcher console for a PC. Ask us about the platform we recommend.
Which is cheapest in the long run?
For a few radios over short distances, PMR446. For a large fleet in one area, usually DMR. For teams spread over several towns, PoC, because it needs no infrastructure.
Other guides
Not sure which radio to pick?
Tell us how many people need to talk, where, and how far apart. Our team in Thessaloniki replies with a recommendation and, for businesses, a written quote.